"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1968: On The Doctors, Karen (Laryssa Lauret) rushed to talk with Matt (James Pritchett) after Steve told her about the hostage situation with Ralph Anderson. Maggie (Bethel Leslie) wasn't phased when she walked in on Karen's conversation with Matt. "For once, I'm not concerned about Karen Werner's continental charms," Maggie told Matt.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Professor Stokes (Thayer David) and Julia (Grayson Hall) talked about the Dream Curse. He told her that the person who was object of the curse would die at the end of the dream.

1970: On Another World, Rachel (Robin Strasser) phoned Russ (Sam Groom) and lied that everything went wonderfully with her father.

1975: Adrienne LaRussa debuted as Brooke Hamilton in Days of our Lives.

1981: On General Hospital, Port Charles was abuzz as the art auction began.

1984: On The Edge of Night, Sky (Larkin Malloy) and Raven (Sharon) made their way to Switzerland.

1987: On As the World Turns, Craig (Scott Bryce) and Sierra (Finn Carter) celebrated the birth of their son, Bryant.

1987: On Knots Landing, Abby (Donna Mills) discovered Olivia standing over Peter Hollister's (Hunt Block) dead body and thought her daughter had killed him. Olivia thought her mother killed Peter when she came out of the bathroom wiping her hands.

1990: Victoria Rowell debuted as Drucilla Winters on The Young and the Restless.

Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

1992: On Another World, the residents of Bay City were stunned when Carl Hutchins (Charles Kating) returned to town after his conviction was overturned.

2002: ABC pulled the One Life to Live-inspired Todd Manning rag doll from its online store after being criticized for creating and releasing a doll based on a character who was a rapist. The Todd doll cost $19.95 and was described like this: "Todd is an all-cloth doll with brown felt hair and blue eyes. He is 20 inches standing. He wears a blue shirt and black pants."

“We didn't exercise proper sensitivity to the history of the character of Todd,” said ABC VP of media and talent relations Sally Schoneboom, adding, “We have re-evaluated and decided not to sell the doll.”

2008: Brianne Moncrief debuted on All My Children as Colby Chandler.

2008: Actress Lydia Bruce, who was best known for playing Dr. Maggie Powers on NBC daytime drama The Doctors, died at age 77.

2009: On The Bold and the Beautiful, Pam (Alley Mills) declared the Forresters would be better off without Rick.

2013: On Days of our Lives, Jennifer Horton (Melissa Reeves was surprised to see her son, J.J. Deveraux (Casey Moss) in Salem. The clip below picks up with Jennifer's reaction in the following episode.